Kelly and Leon’s Minstrels

Event Information

Venue(s):
Kelly and Leon's Minstrels Hall (720 Broadway)

Event Type:
Minstrel

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
18 April 2016

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

26 Nov 1866, Evening
27 Nov 1866, Evening
28 Nov 1866, Evening
29 Nov 1866, Evening
30 Nov 1866, Evening
01 Dec 1866, Evening

Program Details

First appearance of William H. Brockway on November 26, 1866.

Two doves includes the songs “Ah non giunge” and “Il bacio.”

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
LIST OF PERFORMER(S)/ORGANIZATION(S)
Participants:  Kelly and Leon’s Minstrels;  Dick Sands [minstrel dancer];  Johnny Allen [minstrel/variety];  William H. Brockway;  Francis Leon;  Edwin Kelly;  Sam Price [minstrel];  George N. Christy;  Nelse Seymour
2)
Belisario; or, True love never runs smooth
aka Belesario
Participants:  Edwin Kelly
3)
Pas d’air
4)
Taming a butterfly, [minstrel parody]
5)
Two doves, The
Participants:  Francis Leon;  Edwin Kelly
6)
Sonnambula, La, "Ah! non giunge"
aka Ah! non giunge uman pensiero
Composer(s): Bellini
7)
"Bacio, Il"
aka Kiss; Kuss, Der
Composer(s): Arditi
Participants:  Francis Leon
8)
Shakesperiana
Participants:  George N. Christy;  Nelse Seymour
9)
City life, [minstrel sketch]
10)
Haunted house, The, [minstrel sketch]
aka Echo
11)
Refugee, The
aka Wandering refugee

Citations

1)
Announcement: New York Herald, 26 November 1866, 8.
2)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 26 November 1866.
3)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 26 November 1866, 7.
4)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 29 November 1866, 5.

“A crowded house and an entertaining programme were the principal features at Kelly and Leon’s handsome little theatre last evening. Several songs, admirably sung, were followed by the Taming of the Butterfly and the Two Doves, in which Messrs. Kelly and Leon brought down the house. The champion clog dancer, Sands, after exhibiting his remarkable dexterity in the heavy-soled terpsichorean art, and receiving a round of hearty applause, gave place to Messrs. Christy and Seymour’s Shakespearean revival, when the fate of the gentle Desdemona, contrary to established usage, elicited not the tears but the laughter of the audience. The balance of the programme was equally entertaining, and the several pieces were heartily applauded.”

5)
Announcement: New York Clipper, 01 December 1866, 270.
6)
Advertisement: New York Clipper, 01 December 1866, 271.